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Infertility can be a significant concern for women, both emotionally and physically. Women may become infertile over time due to age or as a result of external factors. While nothing can prevent the aging process, there are steps women can take to protect their fertility as they age.
Learn more about the causes of infertility here.
Get Tested for STIs Periodically
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can impact fertility among women to different degrees depending on the nature of the infection; however, none are beneficial to fertility.
If you are considering a pregnancy in the future, it is prudent to get tested periodically. Some STIs can appear asymptomatic but still result in long-term or even permanent infertility if left untreated.
Getting tested every 6 to 12 months is a good investment to protect your ability to bear children.
Avoid Smoking
Women who plan to have children in the future should avoid smoking tobacco products. Smoking can cause a host of health problems, including a reduction of fertility among women.
Because the damage done by smoking is cumulative, it is best to stop smoking immediately.
Maintain an Exercise Regime
If you are planning to become pregnant in the future, an exercise regime can help keep your body ready for the rigors of pregnancy. Frequent exercise can help increase fertility among women, and the associated health benefits can reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy.
For this reason, Dr. Saadat recommends that women who are concerned about their fertility maintain an active lifestyle.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet can help women maintain their fertility as they age. Eating foods that are as unprocessed as possible will reduce certain risks that can lead to infertility.
Trans fats, in particular, are known to decrease fertility over time. While trans fats were mostly banned in the US as of 2018, women should still be aware of the health effects of many of the processed foods they consume.
Foods with high levels of vitamins and minerals are ideal, as are unprocessed meats, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and unprocessed grains like rice.
Do You Have More Questions About Preventing Infertility?
If you want to learn more about female infertility and your ability to prevent it, call our Reproductive Fertility Center at (310) 881-8846 to schedule a consultation or fill out our online contact form.
If you are not ready for children yet, you can take several steps to protect your fertility. You may also want to talk to your partner about how men can protect their fertility as well.